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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill requires a local education agency (LEA) to use semesters or quarter for the
10 LEA's school schedule.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ requires an LEA to use semesters or quarters for the LEA's school schedule.
14 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15 None
16 Other Special Clauses:
17 None
18 Utah Code Sections Affected:
19 ENACTS:
20 53G-7-224, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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22 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 Section 1. Section 53G-7-224 is enacted to read:
24 53G-7-224. School schedules.
25 (1) As used in this section:
26 (a) "Alternative high school" means a public education program established by an LEA
27 that:
28 (i) is designed to meet the needs of a student ages 14 through 18 who is at risk of not
29 graduating from a traditional high school for reasons including:
30 (A) academic credit deficiency;
31 (B) history of suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary issues;
32 (C) pregnancy, parenthood, or a need to work during regular school hours;
33 (D) physical or mental health conditions; or
34 (E) homelessness or unstable home environment; and
35 (ii) features an environment tailored toward an at-risk student population through
36 elements including:
37 (A) flexible school schedules;
38 (B) online or blended course options in addition to in-person instruction;
39 (C) life skills components; and
40 (D) college and career readiness support.
41 (b) "LEA" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-1-102.
42 (c) "School schedule" means the planned allocation of instructional time for courses
43 throughout a school year.
44 (2) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and except as provided in Subsection (3),
45 an LEA shall adopt a school schedule consisting only of semesters or quarters.
46 (3) An LEA may adopt a school schedule other than the type of school schedule
47 described in Subsection (2) if:
48 (a) the LEA is a charter school;
49 (b) the LEA is a school district and all schools within the school district have the same
50 school schedule; or
51 (c) the school within the LEA is an alternative high school.
52 Section 2. Effective date.
53 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.